Living with a piece of Marvolo's soul inside him didn't feel that much different, Harry thought as he, reluctantly, got out of bed and searched for his uniform. The new year at Hogwarts had begun, and Harry had, for the first time since he could remember, not hated being away from the castle during the summer.
Why? Because this summer had been spent at Marvolo's manor, which was quite a change from life at Privet Drive. No more serving his relatives', no more cleaning, cooking or washing, the manor's house elves had taken care of that for him.

Harry had told Marvolo of his treatment from the Dursleys', and had to hide the man's wand as he prepared to apparate to their location and give them a very painful death. Marvolo had of course promised the same fate to Harry if he didn't return him his wand, but Harry didn't take the threat too seriously; Marvolo would never hurt him, at least not too bad. Countless stinging hexes were proof of that.

Marvolo had eventually calmed down, and made Harry promise to never go back to those filthy muggles, he was more than welcome to spend his holidays at the manor if he so wished. If he made that offer as a kind gesture, or so he could be assured his horcrux was safe, didn't matter much to Harry, he still appreciated it.

"I'd love to Marvolo, but Dumbledore will insist I stay with the Dursleys', he'll want me inside the blood wards", Harry had said, sounding dejected.

"Doesn't the old fool know they are useless now, with me having your blood in my veins?" Marvolo said, and scoffed at the idiocy of the old headmaster.

That made Harry pause. Surely Dumbledore was aware of that quite important fact? He'd once told Harry he knew he was condemning him to an unhappy childhood, but at least he'd been safe, which was absolute rubbish.

"So, I've had to stay with those monsters even though there's no protection whatsoever? He knew the wards weren't in place anymore, and still he sent me back?" Harry said, almost amazed at the nerve of the foolish headmaster. He certainly liked to play with other people's lives, didn't he? Who did he think he was, some god?

"Are you really that surprised?" Marvolo asked and smirked, but Harry still saw glimpses of murderous rage in in eyes. It felt good to know someone cared about his wellbeing.

"No, not really. Still, it makes me want to beat the shit out of him. Ouch! What was that for?" That stinging hex was certainly not necessary.

"I may share your hatred of the old fool, but you will watch your language around me."

-00-

Harry was shaken out of his thoughts of the past summer as he heard Ron get out of bed.

"Morning, Harry", he said, looking hesitant at Harry's reaction.

Things hadn't been all happy and dandy during the summer. After Sirius's death, Harry hadn't received a single letter from his friends. Sure, the death of his godfather wasn't too hard on him, but he still would've appreciated some form of support from the outside world. Marvolo had offered his condolences, but that was about it. And they expected him to be fine with that? During the feast the night before, both Ron and Hermione had tried to talk to him, but he simply couldn't be bothered. And to hear they acted on orders from Dumbledore was the icing on the cake. Of course, the old fool wanted him to be as miserable as possible at the Dursleys'. Would his meddling ever stop?

So, Harry said nothing in reply, he kept his head down as he changed into his uniform and left the dormitory. Ron's sigh of defeat following him out the door.

But it didn't stop there, as he came down the stairs he saw Hermione, dressed in her uniform and looking up at him. "Good morning, Harry."

Harry merely looked at her as he walked past and out the portrait hole. He wasn't in the mood for their excuses. They'd blame it all on Dumbledore, as usual.

"Harry, wait! Please, just let us explain", Hermione pleaded as she followed him down the corridor.

"What's there to explain, Hermione? You did a fine job of it last night", Harry bit out. Maybe he was overplaying it a little, but it had still hurt to be ignored.

"Harry, please, we wanted to write, we really did, but w-"

"Let me guess, Dumbledore told you not to, because it wouldn't be safe? Wasn't that what you said?" Harry quoted from what he'd been told last night, almost smirking as he saw Hermione falter at having her own words thrown back at her.

"He's right, Harry, since Voldemort's returned, you can never know who's out there. Someone could've intercepted your mail and used it to get close to you. Please understand that", Hermione said as she put her hand on Harry's shoulder, which was quickly shaken off.

Harry spun around and glared at Hermione, who flinched at the coldness she saw in his eyes.

"Even so, do you know just how much one letter would've helped me, Hermione? I witnessed my own godfather die, right in front of me. Do you think any of the Dursleys' gave me any comfort? No, of course they didn't. I counted on both you and Ron to be there for me, but you weren't. I didn't hear from you for over two months! Not a single word, Hermione. And now you expect me to forgive and forget all of that, simply because Dumbledore told you it wouldn't be safe? Well, you can just bugger off then, you and Ron. If you put your trust in a headmaster more than you care about me, I have nothing left to say to you."

And with that, Harry turned and continued his walk down to breakfast, leaving Hermione crying in the corridor.

-00-

Harry never regretted giving up his friendships with Hermione and Ron. With no more of their constant bickering, life was so much quieter. They tried several times to talk to him, to try and reconcile any of their lost friendship, but it was pointless. Harry merely looked at them in silence until they gave up, only to try again a few hours later.

Even Dumbledore had called him up to his office to try and make him rethink his decision.

"I'm sure you have it in you to forgive them, my boy", he said as he looked at Harry from behind his desk, "they were only doing it to protect you."

"Yeah, on your orders, sir. How could you think it wise to leave me alone for over two months after watching my godfather die?" Harry asked, wanting to hear his answer.

Dumbledore sighed and looked down at his intertwined fingers in deep thought. "Harry, with Voldemort back, we can't take any chances of him finding out where you live. An owl can easily be followed, as you know. I am sorry for causing you distress, my boy, but I did it for your own good."

Harry could hardly believe it. For his own good? The 'good' could go and jump off a train, for all he cared. "So, leaving me to mourn and grieve by myself you consider as protecting me?"

Dumbledore gave him 'that' look. "I'm sure it was hard on you, Harry, but you're back at Hogwarts now, as are your friends. Surely you can forgive them, can you not?"

"I don't think so", was all Harry said before he got up and left the office, leaving the old headmaster behind.

Without Hermione and Ron constantly being with him, several other students from other Houses approached him, wanting to get to know him, which was quite odd. When Harry said as much to a few from Ravenclaw, they said that Granger and Weasley never really let anyone get close. They always gave some excuse on how he didn't have time or some other reason.

"Why would they do that?" Harry had never noticed any of that happen.

"Think about it, Potter, when they were with you, they were somewhat famous, right? Anyone seen with the Boy-Who-Lived was brought into the spotlight as well. I don't think they wanted to lose that."

"So what, they used me for my fame?" Harry asked, deeply offended.

"Maybe not all the time, but yeah, it was plain to see, at least for us", said Roger Davis, a seventh-year student, who'd appeared to have tried to make friends with Harry for some time, but was always stopped by Granger and Weasley.

"Well, I-I'm sorry", said Harry and smiled up at Roger, "I'd love to be friends with you, with all of you."

Harry almost lost count of how many students came up to him after seeing him accept Roger and the others as his friends. There were even some from Slytherin, which was a surprise, but Harry had never been one to judge. Hell, he was really good friends with the Heir of Slytherin, wasn't he?